Tiger... I'm Lovin' It.

This week, we watched a 20/20 special in class featuring Mr. Stryker's man-crush, John Stossel. (Don't deny it, Stryker, you adore the man and his robust 'stache.) Throughout this special, Stossel discussed things that are considered by many people to be so politically incorrect, they're not even talked about by most people. One of the points he brought up was the fact that allowing the trade of rare animals, such as tiger, would actually help the creatures be saved much like the bison in North America.

I agree with Stossel. I think that any time the free market can solve the problem as opposed to government regulation, that is the preferable route. In this case, he cites several facts and figures which lead to my support. I personally love the idea of a free market approach to this issue because it keeps the government as small as possible and typically is much more effective than a ban.

Guess who's back......

Over the weekend, Helio Castroneves- two-time Indy 500 Champion, fresh out of criminal charges of tax evasion that would have sunk his career forever- got the pole for the 2009 Indianapolis 500. After dealing with all of the struggles he has had to deal with over the past year, Helio sounded relieved when he said he was treating today like "day number one," saying later that today was the first day of his life.

Give me a moment to collect my thoughts.......


THANK GOD!

Helio Castroneves has embodied everything that is Indy since the first time he won the race in 2001. Ever since the first time he climbed that fence, he has become immortal, untouchable, indescribable. To those here in Indianapolis, he is among the greats. His face is in the same tier as Reggie Miller's, Peyton Manning's, and Larry Bird's, and it's not just because he's a great racer. We love watching him roar around the first turn, but more than that we love his completely candid interviews. We love how he, and his entire racing team, climb the fence. He's our own milk-drinking, wreath-wearing, engine-starting, and yes, even tax-evading Spiderman. He is a demigod here, and there is not one Hoosier out there who can honestly say they weren't praying for his innocence, even if they don't realize it. So thank you, Helio. We know Indianapolis is your favorite place in the world, but you need to realize that you're one of our favorite heroes as well.

Say it...

The United Nations is currently demanding compensation from Israel for the destruction of a military campaign they launched near several U.N. schools, reportedly killing forty people. Israel contends that they did not take such action, but if they did it was because there were Palestinian militants using the buildings and other civilian areas in order to take cover from the Israelis.

All I have to say is that I am shocked and appalled that it took this long for someone to finally say something to the Israelis who isn't anti-semitic. Israel has held the single largest and longest military occupation in history and I have no idea why America has let it continue. For too long we've sided with the Israelis in a battle that was not theirs to win. The occupation of the Gaza Strip and the other Occupied Territories is illegal and our promoting it has done nothing but hurt us in the region. Finally we said something, we just didn't say enough.

Raising the Stakes

Last week, Sean Hannity said on his primetime tv show that he would undergo waterboarding as a benefit for charity. Raising the stakes, this week Keith Olbermann stated that he would donate $1000 to 9/11 victims' families for every second Hannity undergoes the process. This leads to the greater question of whether or not waterboarding is torture.

Personally, I do believe that waterboarding is torture, and I think Sean Hannity is nothing more than a reactionary nut case who is too ignorant to see the insane bias of his "fair and balanced" show. (A show that's so deathly afraid of any different views, that they had to kick Colmes off after he owned Hannity one too many times) I don't agree with Olbermann's liberalism and blind allegiance to President Obama, either. This is why I would like to raise the stakes. I vow to donate $10,000 over the course of the next ten years to the 9/11 victims' fund if both Hannity and Olbermann get waterboarded at the same time for at least sixty seconds. The ball's in your court, gentlemen.

IPSsed off... (Week 14)

Indianapolis Public Schools announced recently that they will lay off up to three hundred teachers and forty other employees in addition to potentially closing more schools. Additionally, several administrators will be seeing pay cuts. This comes in the same school year as Dr. Eugine White, IPS superintendent, created two new administrative positions that took over the vast majority of his responsibilities, freeing him up to "raise money and building community relationships."

Surprise, Surprise. Dr White, The Great Delegator, now has to lay off more teachers and close more "under preforming" schools because his wallet isn't fat enough yet. Granted, most of his administrators are making over $80,000/year despite their blatant incompetence in the field of education. Are you serious, White? Do you think that now, because your only job is to be a six-figured figure-head you're not responsible for the failing schools which you've overseen for the past four years? I don't know what you're doing to earn your $175,000 with a potential bonus of $15,00/year, but it's not enough. For that money, I'd expect IPS students to AT LEAST be able to pass ISTEP. It's not the teachers, it's not the students. The problem is that your rhetoric of cut, cut, cut may be appeasing deadbeat parents, but it's enabling this crisis. You should be ashamed of yourself, Dr. White. I know I am.

Doubting Thomas (Week 13)

Today, Isiah Thomas accepted the job as the Florida International University head basketball coach. Despite never coaching in college basketball and having an embarrassing coaching history in the NBA, Thomas seems confident about his new job. In spite of sneaking in a win in the Sun Belt Conference tournament this year, FIU finished 13-20 on the season.

I don't know which is worse, the fact that FIU fans will be forced to sit through at least five years (under contract) of another Isiah Thomas train wreck, or the fact that the Hall of Fame point guard who led the Pistons to two championships can't find a job outside of a mid major college team who finished last year seven games below .500. The sad thing is that their winning percentage (.394) is actually better than the winning percentage of Thomas's dismal Knicks, at 31-50 (.383). First and foremost, I don't know why the Knicks ever hired him in the first place. He is an embarrassment to any franchise he joins. Additionally, however, he has absolutely no coaching talent. He's proven time and time again that he can't lead even a team of over payed superstars to a wining record, what makes anyone think he can do that to a bunch of scrub players in the Sun Belt Conference, one of the most laughable conferences in the NCAA division I. Not only can he not coach college ball, he couldn't even play college ball. Under Bobby Knight at IU, he was an embarrassing player to watch. Until he can get a team to get some W's, he needs to learn four other letters. T-E-A-M.

Really?!? With Tim. (Week 12)

Yesterday morning, Christopher O. Rondeau's 77 year old grandmother was stabbed and killed when she tried to break up a sword fight between her grandson and 69 year-old Adolf Stegbauer. The fight was said to start around 1 A.M. and the IMPD has issued a statement saying that they do not know how the fight began, which leads me to something I'd like to call, "Really?!? With Tim"

Really, IMPD? You have no idea how a 39 year old man began a sword fight with a 69 year old at one in the morning? What do you think they were doing up that early, trying to catch a rerun of COPS? I don't know if anyone informed you, but there is this crazy thing called alcohol that all the kids have been talking about lately. While it may have some positive side effects, there are definately negative ones like hangovers and stabbing your grandmother with a sword. And did you drug test this guy, because I don't know if you've seen him, but he looks like an extra in a Harold and Kumar movie. Really. And you say you don't know who stabbed her? Really? Because according to the police report, the swords that were used were a Japaneese sword from WWII, a relatively heavy sword, and a thin blade sword. Did you even check the wound or are you just hoping that one of the drunkards who started the fight will wake up in the hospital with a hangover and confess, because I'm betting cash money that they won't remember a thing. Really.